CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati Bearcats Men’s and Women’s basketball teams will host a Ring of Red double header on Saturday, beginning at noon inside Fifth Third Arena. All fans are asked to wear red to show their Bearcats spirit and support one of the fans’ favorite traditions.

Fresh off a road win over No. 11 Georgetown, the men’s basketball team returns to Fifth Third Arena to battle the Villanova Wildcats. Tickets for the game start at only $14.50 and can be purchased by clicking HERE.

“Our fans are making a difference in our home games”, Head Men's Basketball Coach Mick Cronin said. “We need everyone in their seats early, being loud, and wearing red on Saturday. Our student-athletes feed off of the fans’ energy and we really appreciate the support we are receiving. I’d also like to thank our students for the great support they have shown this season. We need our student body to be as loud as ever as we tackle the BIG EAST Conference home schedule.”

At halftime of the men's game, the 2011 BIG EAST and AutoZone Liberty Bowl Champion football team and Head Coach Butch Jones will be honored for their accomplishments during the 2011 campaign.

Student tickets for the men’s game are nearly sold out and all students attending the game will receive a limited edition Ring of Red t-shirt. Fans are asked to use #UCRINGOFRED when tweeting about the game. Students interested in attending the game should visit the UC Ticket Office as soon as possible to claim their ticket. Once the allotment of complimentary student tickets is exhausted, UC will be offering $10 student overflow tickets for the games against both Villanova and Syracuse.

The women’s basketball team takes on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish shortly after the conclusion of the men’s game and the first 500 fans that enter on the east side of the arena will receive a Ring of Red t-shirt. Bearcats fans who come to Fifth Third Arena for the men’s basketball game will be able to stay inside the arena to watch the women’s game as a ticket for the men’s game includes admission to the women’s game. Fans interested in only attending the women’s game can purchase tickets on game day ($5 for adults, $3 for youth, $1 for groups of 10 or more). UC students are free with a valid UC ID.

“We are really excited to share in the Ring of Red tradition with our fans”, says Jamelle Elliott, head women’s basketball coach. “The support of our fans is always appreciated and I am asking all of the fans who make the trip to Fifth Third Arena on Saturday afternoon to sit back and watch some great Women’s Basketball shortly after the conclusion of the men’s game.”

In what promises to be an exciting halftime performance, the famous ZOOperstars! will also treat fans to a show at both the men’s and women’s games which guarantees fun entertainment for fans of all ages. For more information on the ZOOperstars!, visit www.zooperstars.com